three phase power

[Chet Weatherl]

I recently acquired a Powermatic 66 with a 5 HP three phase motor. The problem is, I haven't any three phase in my shop. The question is, should I buy a phase converter, or a new single phase 3 HP motor. I really want to get this up and running. I'd really appreciate your input. Thanks, Chet

[BenMinshall]

I would recommend you call around to see if a local motor rebuilding shop will take the three-phase motor in on trade for a single-phase motor. You might be able to get this done without too much additional cost. You could do a rotary phase converter, but they are expensive, take up a lot of space, and you don't get full power out of the three-phase motor anyway.

[ChetlovesMer]

Chet (I like your first name by the way.)

I'd advise against the converter, they are loud, expensive, sometimes run hot and, in my experience, never as good as "real" 3-phase. I'd swap out the motor if possible.

Chet

[edh]

I agree, swap or sell the 3 phase.I bought a Unisaw about 15yrs ago that had a 5hp 3 phase. I did find a local shop willing to give me a reasonable trade credit towards the purchase of a new 3hp single phase motor that fit the unisaw brackets perfectly.

Also for your info, I played around with building my own rotary converter out of a few used 3 phase motors. The 3 phase motors were available cheap at a local junkyard. In fact I bought one 3ph 15hp motor for a few bucks and the yard gave me 4 more. Wiring diagrams (how to do it) are available on-line. I did it and still have the converter set-up ready to go but never use it. It's not very efficient but do-able.

I found a few helpful articles in a Taunton press woodworking book called woodworking machinery.